Long Distance Mover Cost

How Much Does a Long Distance Mover Cost?

Household moving companies will generally send a salesperson to visit the home in order to see the contents for a long distance move. They create an estimate based on the size and expected weight of a shipment, the distance traveled and the amount of handling at each end.

Typical costs:

Moving the contents of a 600-square foot one-bedroom apartment from Washington DC to Los Angeles, California averages $3,600-$5,000 for full service, which includes packing. Estimated weight is 3,400 pounds.

The cost to move approximately 5,500 pounds of furnishings from a two-bedroom 900-square foot apartment the same distance and service level is about $5,100-$6,400.

The price to relocate the contents of a 1,500-sqaure foot three-bedroom house with eight total rooms and an expected weight of 12,000 pounds across the country with full-service packing averages $9,000-$11,600.

A full-service move includes packing, loading, transport, unloading and if contracted, unpacking of all household goods.

Tip: When obtaining estimates from moving companies, find out whether it is a binding (final price) or nonbinding (possibility of additional charges) estimate and exactly what services will be performed for that price. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration[1] lists an online glossary of moving terms and fraud prevention techniques.

Additional costs:

Pianos or heavy items are priced individually depending on weight and access.

Due to high demand, moving during summer months--May through September--costs about 20% more than the other months of the year.

If the truck is too large for the delivery area and the items have to be shuttled to the destination in a smaller vehicle, an extra fee will be charged based on time and manpower.

Tipping[2] is a common practice in moving according to Movingatoz.com. Movers are generally tipped either $3-$5 per hour or $15 per every 1,000 pounds moved.

Moving insurance costs about $7.50 per $1,000 of value.

Discounts:

Ordering online can mean a discount at some companies, and some movers offer 10% off for AAA members.

Shopping for a long distance mover:

The American Moving and Storage Association explains how to plan a move[3] and what to do before getting estimates[4] .

Tip: Prepare a kit of items needed for the first night in the new house, including bed linen, medicine, teas and coffee.

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